die
Premiere
🎬 What does 'die Premiere' mean?
Die Premiere (noun, feminine) refers to the first public performance of a stage work (play, opera, ballet), a film, a piece of music, or sometimes the first presentation of a product or event.
- Main meaning: The very first showing to the public. Often a festive occasion.
- Uraufführung vs. Premiere: An Uraufführung (UA) is the absolute first performance ever, while a Premiere can also be the first performance in a specific country, city, or a new production (e.g., Deutschlandpremiere - German premiere, Wiener Premiere - Viennese premiere).
- Context: Mostly used in the field of arts and culture.
🚨 There is only this one article for the word.
Article rules for der, die, and das
-e/-ee → almost always feminine.
There are many -e nouns, many of which are feminine, but there are also some important exceptions.
🧐 Grammar Spotlight: Declining 'die Premiere'
'Premiere' is a feminine noun and therefore uses the article 'die'.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Premiere |
| Genitive | der | Premiere |
| Dative | der | Premiere |
| Accusative | die | Premiere |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Premieren |
| Genitive | der | Premieren |
| Dative | den | Premieren |
| Accusative | die | Premieren |
Example Sentences
- Die Premiere des neuen Films war ein großer Erfolg.
(The premiere of the new film was a great success.) - Wir haben Karten für die Premiere der Oper bekommen.
(We got tickets for the opera premiere.) - Nach der Premiere gab es eine große Feier.
(After the premiere, there was a big party.) - Viele Stars besuchten die glanzvolle Premiere in Berlin.
(Many stars attended the glamorous premiere in Berlin.)
🎭 When and How to Use 'Premiere'
- Theatre, Film, Opera: This is the most common context. People talk about the Theaterpremiere (theatre premiere), Filmpremiere (film premiere), or Opernpremiere (opera premiere).
- Music: The term is also used for concerts or the first performance of musical compositions.
- Other Contexts (less common): Sometimes 'Premiere' is used metaphorically for the first presentation or appearance of something new, e.g., the Premiere eines neuen Automodells (premiere of a new car model) or the Premiere einer Ausstellung (premiere of an exhibition).
- Festive Occasion: Premieres are often associated with a red carpet, celebrity guests, and media attention.
- Distinction: A Generalprobe is the final rehearsal before the premiere, usually under performance conditions but without a regular audience. The Dernière is the final performance of a production.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'die Premiere'
Article Mnemonic: Think of feminine concepts associated with a first night: die Aufregung (the excitement), die Feier (the party/celebration), die Vorstellung (the performance) – all feminine, just like die Premiere.
Meaning Mnemonic: The word sounds like the English 'premier' or the French 'première', both meaning 'first'. A Premiere is the first performance.
↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms (similar meaning):
- Erstaufführung: (First performance) Very direct synonym, emphasizing the 'first time'.
- Uraufführung (UA): (World premiere) The very first performance of a work anywhere. More specific than Premiere.
- Debüt: (Debut) Often used for the first appearance of a person (e.g., an actor), but can also apply to works.
- Eröffnungsvorstellung: (Opening performance) Emphasizes the start of a season or festival.
Antonyms & Related Terms (opposite or different meaning):
- Dernière: (Closing night / Final performance) The last performance of a production.
- Wiederholung: (Repetition / Repeat performance) A subsequent performance, not a premiere.
- Vorstellung: (Performance / Show) General term for a performance, not necessarily the first one.
- Generalprobe: (Dress rehearsal) The final rehearsal before the premiere.
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt der Regisseur den Hauptdarsteller nach der Premiere: "Na, wie war's?"
(The director asks the lead actor after the premiere: "Well, how was it?")
Sagt der Darsteller: "Fantastisch! So wenige Leute habe ich hier noch nie husten gehört!"
(The actor says: "Fantastic! I've never heard so few people cough in here!")
✍️ Poem about the Premiere
Der Vorhang hebt sich, sanftes Licht,
(The curtain rises, gentle light,)
Das Herz klopft schnell im Angesicht
(The heart beats fast facing the sight)
Der Menge, die gespannt nun harrt,
(Of the crowd, waiting intently now,)
Auf diesen ganz besond'ren Start.
(For this very special start, somehow.)
Die Premiere, ein Zauberwort,
(The Premiere, a magic word,)
Trägt Spannung an den Bühnenort.
(Brings tension to the stage preferred.)
Applaus brandt auf, die Show beginnt,
(Applause erupts, the show begins,)
Ein neuer Stern am Himmel spinnt.
(A new star in the heavens spins.)
❓ Little Riddle
Ich bin der erste Auftritt, ganz offiziell und groß,
(I am the first appearance, official and grand,)
Im Theater, Kino, Opernhaus – da geht es richtig los.
(In theatre, cinema, opera house – things really get out of hand.)
Man fiebert mir entgegen, mit Lampenfieber pur,
(People anticipate me, with pure stage fright's allure,)
Bin oft ein Fest mit Stars und Glanz auf rotem Teppich-Flur.
(I'm often a feast with stars and glamour on the red carpet floor.)
Was bin ich? / What am I? (Lösung / Answer: die Premiere)
💡 Other Information
- Etymology: The word 'Premiere' comes from French: "première" means "first". It was adopted into German in the 19th century.
- Compounds: Often found in compound nouns like Filmpremiere (film premiere), Theaterpremiere (theatre premiere), Weltpremiere (world premiere), Deutschlandpremiere (German premiere), Premierenfeier (premiere party), Premierenpublikum (premiere audience).
- Cultural Significance: Premieres are important events in the cultural calendar and often receive significant media attention.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Premiere?
The German word 'Premiere' is feminine. The correct article is always die Premiere.